Fire protection system

ABSTRACT

A fire protection system for detecting a fire in one of several protected areas, energizing an alarm and selectively directing a fire extinguishing medium, chemical or water, to that area.

United States Patent Mobley, Sr.

Oct. 2, 197 3 FIRE PROTECTION SYSTEM [76] Inventor: George W. Mobley, Sr., 3508 Greenbrair Dr., N.W., Huntsville, Ala. 35805 [22] Filed: June 9, 1971 [21] Appl. No.: l5l,l89

[52] US. Cl. 169/2 R, l69/l4 [Sl] Int. Cl. A62c 3/00 [58] Field of Search l69/l5, l4, l6, 2 R

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS- l,768,739 7/1930 Boyd 169/14 3,605,90l 9/l97l vGrabowski ct al. 169/2 R 3,473,612 l0/l969 Poitras 169/14 X 3,100,017 8/1963 Johnson 169/17 Primary Examiner-Lloyd L. King Attorney-C. A. Phillips [57] ABSTRACT A fire protection system for detecting a fire in one of several protected areas, energizing an alarm and selectively directing a fire extinguishing medium, chemical or water, to that area.

4 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures PATENTEDUCT 2mm SHEET 101- 2 gin ll O V (I) INVENTOR. GEORGE W. MOBLEY,SR. BY Q 61.

PATENTEDBBT 2 Ian SHEET 2 BF 2 INVENTOR. GEORGE w. MOBLEYY,SR BY C (Q FIRE PROTECTION SYSTEM This invention relates to fire protection systems and particularly to an improved system in which the function of detection, alarm and selective extinguishment of a fire are provided.

It is the object of the present invention to provide an improved system which overcomes difficulties with prior systems and renders complete protection, including detection, instantaneous sounding of an alarm and selective extinguishment of the fire, depending upon its location and character.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The fire protection system of this invention has particular application to structures in which varying fire extinguishing requirements exist, a common situation where manufacturing and/or storing of goods involves different materials. In accordance with the invention discrete temperature sensors of particular ranges, depending upon predetermined critical levels of temperature, are positioned at preselected stations throughout a structure, with one or more of the sensors being located in each compartment or room of the structure. Selected sources of stored chemicals and, if desired, water, would be interconnected by pipes to selected nozzles located throughout the structure and by means of electrically controlled valves selectively operated by the sensors, would enable flow of a particular chemical, or water, to a particular nozzle. The system also includes means for sounding an alarm upon the detection of a fire by one of the sensors and may appropriately dispatch a signal to a remotely located fire watch service or fire station.

Other objects, features and advantages of the invention will become more apparent from the following description when considered together with the drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration showing an embodiment of the fire extinguishing system of this invention.

FIG. 2 is a top view of a rotary extinguisher nozzle which may be employed as one of the nozzles shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a side view of the nozzle shown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is an end view of the nozzle shown in FIG. 3.

Referring first to FIG. 1, there is shown a fire extinguishing system particularly adapted to protect three buidlings, or areas of buildings, l0, l2 and 14. For purposes of illustration, they are not drawn to scale and may be of varying size. Two sources of fire extinguishing media are shown, a tank 16 containing a chemical extinguisher such as CO and a water supply line 18. Tank 16 is connected to line 20 through manual valve 22 and electrically controlled valve 24 and water line 18 is connected to line 20 through manually controlled valve 26 and electrically controlled valve 28. Line 20 extends to and between compartments or areas l0, l2 and 14. As shown, compartment includes a single nozzle 30 and it is interconnected to line through electrically controlled valve 32. Similarly, compartment 12, includes a single nozzle 34 and it is interconnected to line 20 through electrically controlled valve 36. Compartment 14, by way of illustration, includes two nozzles 38 and 40. Nozzle 38 is interconnected to line 20 through electrically controlled valve 42, and nozzle 40 is interconnected to line 20 through electrically controlled valve 44.

Each of compartments l0, l2 and 14 include temper ature sensitive sensors or switches for detecting a predetermined elevated temperature, temperature sensitive switch 46 being appropriately positioned in compartment 10, a like switch 48 being appropriately positioned in compartment 12 and a like switch 50 being appropriately positioned in compartment 14 within the region covered by nozzle 38 and a like switch 52 being positioned in that portion of compartment 14 covered by nozzle 40. These switches or sensors are commercially available units and are essentially temperature sensing switches which are normally open and which close upon sensing a predetermined elevated temperature.

System controller 54 includes four single pole, single throw relays 56, 58, 60 and 62 and four single pole, double throw selector switches 64, 66, 68 and 70. Each of the relays include coil L, coil input terminals T1 and T2 and controlled contacts C1 and C2. Each selector switch includes an input movable contact C3 and fixed output contact C4 anc C5. Contact C2 of each relay is connected to a movable contact C3 of one of the selector switches. All output contacts C4 are connected together and all output contacts C5 are connected together. Thus depending upon which of the two operating positions in which a movable arm C3 is placed, an input on contact C2 will be connected to one of the two output contacts C4 or C5.

An audible alarm 69 is powered alternately by the closing of normally open contacts C8 and C9 of relay 71 or 73 upon the powering of a coil L of one of these relays by power being applied to one of solenoid valves 24 or 28, across which the relay coils are, respectively, connected. Terminals 75 and 75a which are energized whenever alarm 69 is energized, provide an output for a watch line to a fire watch company or fire station. This output may be converted to appropriate signals or signal levels for transmission over a telephone line.

Test switch control 72 enables the dry testing of the system and contains four single circuit normally open, push button switches 74, 76, 78 and 80, switch 74 being connected across sensor 46, switch 76 being connected across sensor 48, switch 78 being connected across sensor 50 and switch 80 being connected across sensor 52. An appropriate source of power, either AC or DC is applied to terminals 82 and 84, terminal 84 being referred to as a matter of convenience as a common terminal. Power from terminal 82 is connected to input terminal 86 of each of temperature sensitive switches 46, 48, 50 and 52. Terminal 82 is also connected to contact C6 of each of test switches 74, 76, 78 and 80 of test control 70 and to contact C1 of each of relays 56, 58, 60 and 62 of switch control 54. The common power supply terminal 84 is connected to a common terminal 88 of all electrically controlled valves, being valves 32, 36, 42, 44, 24 and 28, and to each relay coil terminal T1 of system controller 54.

In discussingsystem operation certain initial conditions are assumed. First, manual control valve 22 which connects chemical extinguisher tank 16 to line 20, through electrically controlled valve 24, is operated to an open position. Similarly manual control valve 26 is operated to an open position. Switches 64, 66, 68 and 70 of system controller 54 are in the positions shown and thus switches 64, 66 and 68 are positioned to apply power to solenoid valve 28 to supply water to line 20 upon the operation of either relays 56, 58 or 60 and switch 70 is positioned to supply power to electrically operated valve 24 to supply a chemical extinguishing fluid from chemical tank 16 to line 20 upon the operation of relay 62. Power is applied to terminals 82 and 84 and this is indicated by illumination of signal lamp 89. Operating pressure of chemical tank 16 is indicated by pressure gauge 9].

Assume now that a fire has occurred in area or compartment 10 causing a temperature rise sufficient to close sensor 46. This closure applies power through sensor 46 to terminal T2 of relay 56, closing contacts C1-C2 associated with this relay. This thus connects power from supply terminal 82 through movable contact C3 of switch 64 to solenoid valve 28 which is thereby operated to an open position. This thus causes water to flow from line 18 into distribution line 20. At the same time, power is applied to relay 71 causing alarm 69 to be operated and an alarm signal applied to watch line terminals 75 and 75a. Power is also applied through closed sensor 46 to terminal 94 of electrically operated valve 32 to operate it, applying water under line pressure to nozzle 30 which causes it to rotate and to thus spray water over a predetermined region, typically throughout compartment 10.

If switch 64 had been positioned in the opposite position power would have been supplied to solenoid valve 24 and thus a chemical extinguishing fluid would have been supplied from chemical tank 16 through line and electrically controlled valve 24 to nozzle 30.

If a tire should occur in another area such as area 14 one or both of sensors 50 and 52 would be operated closed and, depending, upon the position of associated selector switches 68 and 70 would cause either a chemical extinguishing fluid or water to be supplied to one or both of nozzles 38 and 40.

While as shown, the system would provide for either a chemical extinguishing fluid or water to be applied to one or more of compartment 10, 12 and 14 at one time, in the event that it is desired to be able to selectively provide one of the two sources of extinguishing fluid to any one of a group of compartments or nozzles, separate dry pipe distribution lines, one for each source of extinguishing fluid, would be connected to compartments of each of the two groups. This would not involve a change in the control system as previously described.

It is to be appreciated that testing and maintenance of a fire protection system are extremely vital to the effectiveness of the system. Thus test control 72 is provided and it includes a discrete switch for connecting across each of the temperature sensors. In order to conduct a test, manual valve 22 in the chemical supply line and manual valve 26 in the water supply line are closed to prevent actual flow of water or chemical extinguisher through the system. Now one of several techniques may be used to test the system. In one instance, an operator would operate, in sequence, each of the test switches 74, 76, 78 and 80 and observers would listen for the operation of the appropriate combination of solenoid valves. A more reliable approach would be to provide air line inlets 79 or 79a between the manual valves and the electrically operated valve connecting chemical source 16 and water supply line 18 to distribution line 20 through which air (or an inert gas) would be selectively introduced by valves 81 or 81a to verify opening and closing of the various valves. As will be noted, switches 74, 76, 78 and 80 of test control 72 are wired in parallel with particular sensors 46. 48. S0 and 52. Each switch initiates the same function as the sensor which it simulates For example, when switch 79 is closed, power is applied from terminal 82 to coil L of relay 56. This closes relay 56 and applies power from terminal 82 through closed contacts Cl and C2 associated with relay 56 to movable contact C3 of switch 64. Since the switch is in the down position, power is applied to water control valve 28. Valve 28 is opened supplying air to distribution line 20. At the same time, power is applied from terminal C7 of switch 72 to valve 32. Valve 32 opens allowing air to flow through rotating nozzle 30 and this can be readily observed, verifying the operation of this portion of the system. In order to test the complete functioning of the system including the heat sensors, an appropriate heat would be applied to one of the heat sensor switches, for example sensor 46, and with switch 74 open, one would observe for air being passed by nozzle 30. In this manner, each sensor switch and its associated elements may be periodically tested for proper operation.

In order to assure that fluid pressure is always available, except during tests, appropriate means may be included to sense when fluid pressure is applied at the output of manual valves 22 and 26.

FIGS. 2-4 illustrate in greater detail nozzle construction of one or more nozzles 30, 34, 38 and 40. It is shown as nozzle 98 and it consists of two basic elements, an elongated cavity 100, typically of stamped sheet metal such as brass, or molded plastic, and a tubular member 102 which is centrally located and rotatably supports cavity through which fluid is fed into cavity 100.

Cavity 100 is formed by an upper cover member 104 and a lower cover member 106, joined by lip flanges 108 provided in the stamping or molding process. The cross section of cavity 100 decreases with distance from the center of nozzle 98, the trailing edge 110 and upper edge 112 being parallel to a radial line perpendicular to the axis of the nozzle. The leading edges 114 and 115 taper toward the trailing edge 110, and the lower edge 116 tapers toward the upper edge 112, with distance from the axis of the nozzle. Tubular member 102 is typically constructed of machined brass. It is threaded on one end for attachment to distribution line or pipe 118 and has a flange 120 on the other end to support rotating cavity 100. Inlet ports 122 and 124 permit injection of fluid into cavity 100. Apertures 126 along trailing edges I10 and 111 of cavity 100 allow fluid under pressure to escape creating a force at right angles to the axis of the nozzle which causes the nozzle to rotate and dispense fluid effectively over a wide area.

What is claimed is:

1. A fire protection system for protecting a plurality of regions comprising:

A. a temperature sensor associated with each said region and responsive to a critical temperature within a said region for providing a first electrical condition when said temperature is below a predetermined temperature and for providing a second electrical condition when said temperature is above said predetermined temperature;

B. at least first and second sources of fire extinguishing material;

C. at least one central distribution line;

D. first electrical valve means for interconnecting said first source of fire extinguishing material to said central distribution line and second electrical valve means for connecting said second source of fire extinguishing material to said central distribution line;

E. at least one fluid discharge nozzle adapted to distribute an applied fluid over a predetermined area of a said region positioned within each said region;

F. nozzle control electrical valve means interconnecting each said nozzle with said central distribution line;

G. electrical control means including a source of energizing power and responsive to a said second electrical condition from one of said sensors for operating open the said nozzle control electrical valve means associated with the region in which said sensor is positioned and for selectively energizing either said first or second electrical valve means for applying a selected fire extinguishing material to a said region.

2. A fire protection system as set forth in claim 1 further comprising an audible alarm responsive to said temperature sensors for sounding an alarm whenever one of said sensors is operated to provide a said second electrical condition.

3. A fire protection system as set forth in claim 1 further comprising fourth valve means connected between said first source of extinguishing material and said central distribution line and fifth valve means connected between said second source of extinguishing material and said central distribution line and switching means interconnected to each said temperature sensor for selectively providing said second electrical condition for selectively testing the interconnections between each said temperature sensor and said first and second electrical valve means without permitting flow of material to said central distribution line.

4. A fire protection system as set forth in claim 2 wherein at least one of said nozzles is a rotating nozzle incuding a plurality of passageways for directing a plurality of streams of extinguishing material over a substantial area of a said region. 

1. A fire protection system for protecting a plurality of regions comprising: A. a temperature sensor associated with each said region and responsive to a critical temperature within a said region for providing a first electrical condition when said temperature is below a predetermined temperature and for providing a second electrical condition when said temperature is above said predetermined temperature; B. at least first and second sources of fire extinguishing material; C. at least one central distribution line; D. first electrical valve means for interconnecting said first source of fire extinguishing material to said central distribution line and second electrical valve means for connecting said second source of fire extinguishing material to said central distribution line; E. at least one fluid discharge nozzle adapted to distribute an applied fluid over a predetermined area of a said region positioned within each said region; F. nozzle control electrical valve means interconnecting each said nozzle with said central distribution line; G. electrical control means including a source of energizing power and responsive to a said second electrical condition from one of said sensors for operating open the said nozzle control electrical valve means associated with the region in which said sensor is positioned and for selectively energizing either said first or second electrical valve means for applying a selected fire extinguishing material to a said region.
 2. A fire protection system as set forth in claim 1 further comprising an audible alarm responsive to said temperature sensors for sounding an alarm whenever one of said sensors is operated to provide a said second electrical condition.
 3. A fire protection system as set forth in claim 1 further comprising fourth valve means connected between said first source of extinguishing material and said central distribution line and fifth valve means connected between said second source of extinguishing material and said central distribution line and switching means interconnected to each said temperature sensor for selectively providing said second electrical condition for selectively testing the Interconnections between each said temperature sensor and said first and second electrical valve means without permitting flow of material to said central distribution line.
 4. A fire protection system as set forth in claim 2 wherein at least one of said nozzles is a rotating nozzle incuding a plurality of passageways for directing a plurality of streams of extinguishing material over a substantial area of a said region. 